Old Topsham Lock Gates
N 50° 40.962 W 003° 28.304
30U E 466673 N 5614647
Old Lock Gates on the Exeter Ship Canal
Waymark Code: WM1GP4
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/06/2007
Views: 61
These lock gates now disused, the water is being kept in the canal by a large steel barrier.
Exeter Ship Canal runs for about 5 miles connecting the city of Exeter with the sea.
The Exeter Ship Canal was the first canal to be built in Britain since Roman times, the first section dating back to 1566. It enabled vessels to navigate to the wharfs at Exeter Quay for the River Exe was obstructed by shoals and fishing weirs. Over the years the canal was extended and enlarged until in 1824 it was recommended that it should be extended a further 2 miles down the Estuary to Turf. In 1827 the extension was opened along with The Turf Hotel providing accommodation for the Lock Keeper, and the crews of the many sailing vessels that were to enter the Canal.
The canal remains very much the same today as it was then except that the towpaths are no longer used by horses to tow craft the 5 miles from Turf to Exeter.
Coasters continued to use the Canal until the late 1960s with the last commercial vessel finishing in 1998.
During the 70s Exeter City Council closed The Turf, and it was feared that it would be demolished. Thankfully, The Exeter Maritime Museum obtained a listed building order and set about restoring the unique building.
The canal is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty and protected by The Exe Estuary and surrounding wetlands being deemed by English Nature a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protected Area (SPA).
The canal is now popular with rowers, cyclists and canoeists, walkers and anglers and both commercial and leisure boats. It is also a favorite haunt for keen twitchers.
Waterway Name: Exeter Ship Canal, Devon England
Connected Points:
Exeter Quay and the sea.
Type: Lock
Date Opened: 01/01/1566
Elevation Difference (meters): 5.00
Site Status: Inactive
Date Closed (if applicable): Not listed
Web Site: Not listed
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